Marvin Sapp
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| Marvin Sapp | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Marvin Sapp |
| Origin | United States of America |
| Genre(s) | Gospel, Contemporary Christian, Inspirational/Worship |
| Years active | 1984 - present |
Marvin Sapp is an American Gospel music singer, recording with the group Commissioned during the 1990s before beginning a solo career and becoming the pastor of Lighthouse Full Life Center Church, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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[edit] Early years
Singing in church since the tender age of four, Marvin has lived a life of music. Gospel greats from D.J. Rogers and the Winans mixed with the mainstream sounds of Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway and Teddy Pendergrass were influences as the young Marvin forged his own unique vocal style. When challenged by his mother at a young age to choose either Gospel or the music of the world. Marvin chose to sing for the Lord and has not looked back since. Marvin spent his teenage years singing with a number of Gospel groups and ensembles before accepting a call to a ministry of evangelism in 1988. Two years later, Gospel kingpin Fred Hammond was on the phone offering Marvin a job singing with Commissioned. Today much of a Marvin Sapp concert is given to preaching as well a powerful music delivered with special attention to first-rate production and entertainment values. Marvin is always quick to point out that he sees himself first and foremost as a preacher also gifted and called to sing. And his unique combination in concert of spoken word and music ministry has clearly touched the hearts of the many thousands of people who come to hear him each year. Marvin Sapp – preacher, singer, evangelist – and his community outreach ministry, JOY continue to flourish in God’s work. Marvin, meanwhile, is humbled but ready for whatever may be in store. “I’ve held a vision for this for some time,” he concluded, “but I’m still astounded to see the Lord at work and to see things moving even more quickly than I would ever have thought. God has opened one door after another. I’m amazed, but I’m prepared for wherever he wants to take us.”
Sapp attended Ottawa Hills High School in Grand Rapids.
[edit] Musical career
After spending six years with the multi-award winning group Commissioned and Fred Hammond, Marvin has since established himself as a contemporary gospel mainstay in his own right. His self-titled solo debut and his follow up, Grace and Mercy, received overwhelming critical acclaim. And in 1998, Marvin Sapp toured with the largest and most extensive gospel tour ever, "Walt Baby Love's Power '98" Tour. Featuring Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship, Fred Hammond and Radical for Christ, Dottie Peoples and others, the tour drew over a half million people in 70 cities.
Marvin Sapp has one of those voices that is instantly recognizable. During his six years with the award winning group Commissioned, Marvin became a distinguishable vocalist with a style all his own. But the elder Sapp is really a preacher at heart, delivering a fervent message of saving grace to a world often unwilling to hear. And whether he is delivering that message on the streets of Urban America or singing it in large concert halls, Marvin conveys it with fervor few possess. Marvin has been a long standing member of urban Gospel supergroup Commissioned until the explosive growth in his own JOY ministries based in his hometown of Grand Rapids Michigan and his burgeoning career as a solo artist forced him to leave the group at the end of 1996. Marvin’s debut album soared out of the box with no 1 radio hits with "Calling Me" and "In His Presence". His most recent album Grace And Mercy promises to follow in the steps of its hit filled predecessor, even though Marvin says this time he consciously moved things in a different direction. Seeking to break down barriers between traditional and contemporary music, Marvin co-wrote three of the album’s nine songs with some of the major hit-makers in Gospel today. Marvin and Aaron Lindsay joined forces on the Gospel quartet-flavored ballad, "For The Rest Of My Life." “This is a song about a relationship with God,” says Marvin, “This is a guy sitting down thinking about his life and how God has met all his needs. And his conclusion and commitment that for the rest of this life, he’s going to live for God.” He recently released a beautiful song called "Never Would've Made It" in honor of his deceased father. The sentimental tribute became one of the hottest songs on gospel and R&B radio as it was the #1 single on those charts for 33 weeks, more than any other artist in other genre in Billboard history.
[edit] Awards and Recognition
- 1999 Doctorate in Divinity from Aenon Bible College Indianapolis, IN
- Grace & Mercy: 1999 Dove Award nomination, 1999 Stellar Award nomination, 1998 Grammy Award nomination, and 1998 Soul Train Award nomination
- Marvin Sapp: 1998 Dove Award nomination and 1998 Stellar Award nomination
- 1994 and 1992 Grammy Award nominations for "Contemporary Gospel Artist of the Year" (with Commissioned)
- 1998 Gold Certification Award for WoW Gospel 98 achieving RIAA Gold sales status, which included the song "Not the Time, Not the Place"
- 1999 Giant's Award, awarded by the city of Grand Rapids, MI for Sapp's contributions to the community
- 1999 Frederick Douglas Award, awarded by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club, Inc. for Sapp's philanthropic involvement.
[edit] Personal life
Pastor Marvin is married to First Lady Malinda Sapp, a gifted speaker, and psychologist. They have three children: Marvin II, Mikaila, and Madison.
[edit] References
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This article does not cite any references or sources. (June 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
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